Lewis Hamilton takes his fifth consecutive Spanish Grand Prix win this afternoon, after a race-long effort to take the lead off Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
The Dutch Red Bull pilot drove an impeccable race, losing the top spot only in the final laps today.
Speaking after the race, he said; “In a way, I could see it coming.
“Already at the end with the softs he was faster, and then when we were put on the mediums he clearly had a lot more pace, he could just stay within one second.
“There was not much we could have done. They went for another stop and then I knew it was over because I was already struggling with the tyres and you could see every lap he was getting closer and closer. I was just a sitting duck.
“We were just clearly lacking pace. I tried everything I could.
“We are not where we want to be. We have to push hard and catch up because at the moment we are a little bit slower.”
Hamilton has now extended his title advantage to 14 points over Verstappen and claims a record-equalling fifth win in a row at Barcelona.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Hamilton said; “I was just hunting. I was so close for so long and I didn’t think in doing that I was going to be able to make the tyres last.
“But I just managed to. It was a long way to come back from 20 odd seconds back but it was a good gamble, a really great strategy from the team.
“I was about to have a shot at getting past him before I pitted right at the end and I was really conflicted. Do I come in or I do ignore the call and stay out?
“Obviously I did what the team asked and naturally that’s because there’s a great trust between us.
“Just a remarkable job by everyone in this team.
Full race report to follow.
